Runners take their marks for Asda Foundation GEAR 10K

The countdown is under way to one of the biggest and most popular charity road races in Norfolk.

Over 2,500 runners are set to pull on their trainers on Sunday 30th April for the Asda Foundation Grand East Anglia Run (GEAR 10K) in King’s Lynn.

The sell-out event, which is expected to generate a huge boost for local good causes, features an attractive route that takes in the pretty town centre, River Ouse pathway, The Walks and a number of historic buildings including Red Mount, the Custom House and Greyfriars Tower.

New for 2017 is the Bespak GEAR 10K Corporate Challenge where companies will battle it out to be crowned the fastest firm in the race. Entry is open to teams of five or more and includes hospitality and other benefits.

The day’s events will also include the popular Bespak Mini GEAR - a 1.2-mile fun run for people of all ages and abilities (6 years and up) from Tuesday Market Place.

The GEAR 10K is being organised for the first time by not-for-profit company Run For All, working in partnership with Alive Leisure and King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council.

Asda Foundation Senior Manager Julie Ward said: “This will be the first time that the GEAR 10K has been run as part of the Asda Foundation 10K series and we are very much looking forward to the event.

“With all places sold, the response to the run has been fantastic and I would like to wish good luck to everyone taking part, particularly those taking on the challenge to support the work of some fantastic charities.”

Runners can run for a good cause of their own choice or for one of the event’s official partner charities which are the Jane Tomlinson Appeal, Macmillan Cancer Support, Mind and Norfolk Accident Rescue Service, Wellbeing of Women and the Pandora Project.

Keyvan Djamarani, Managing Director of Bespak, said: “We are delighted to continue our involvement with such an excellent event that generates a superb atmosphere and, more importantly, provides a great opportunity to support a host of local good causes.

“The Corporate Challenge is an added dimension to this year’s event and I would like to wish all the teams taking part every success. And we’re very much looking forward to seeing hundreds of children and their families taking on the Mini GEAR.”

Run For All Events Manager Lynne Preston said: “We’re very excited to be counting down to our King’s Lynn debut. With the 10K sold out several weeks in advance, the GEAR 10K continues to go from strength to strength and we hope to be able to build on that further still.”

Run For All is part of the lasting legacy of the late Jane Tomlinson CBE who raised almost £2m for charity through a series of endurance challenges, despite being diagnosed with incurable cancer.